Baptism teaches us about contagious healing.  When we possess complete healing from the hurts of our past, we are then able to help others heal.

If you are to learn that you are strong when you are weak, you must first become weak. (2 Cor 12:9) In order for a miracle to happen, a REALLY BIG problem will have to present itself, and If you got the impression that life after baptism was all butterflies and daisies, then you have been misinformed. You’re in training now.  God is making a champion out of you, so you can expect that there will be challenges and trials.

Exodus 15:22-26 (NLT) 22 Then Moses led the people of Israel away from the Red Sea, and they moved out into the desert of Shur. They traveled in this desert for three days without finding any water. 23 When they came to the oasis of Marah, the water was too bitter to drink. So they called the place Marah (which means “bitter”).

Are We There Yet?  Can you imagine their situation? Kids, cattle, and spouses. Walking in the desert. 1.5 million strong. 3 days without water? How many times had the kids said, “Are we there yet? Or, I’m thirsty.” You can almost hear the shuffling of feet, the taste of the dust, and the never-ending grumbling… 

What does this have to do with Baptism? Baptism is how we learn to trust God with the pain of our past. It’s how we identify with God in His pain in the Garden of Eden and on the cross. By an immersion, if you will. An immersion of God, of Jesus rather, into our story.

When Your Past Comes Back

We Always Revisit Our Bitterness. They were only a few days out of Egypt and it was just a few days after the parting of the Red Sea. Egypt was in their past. Their BITTER suffering was behind them. (Ex 1:14)

The Jewish Scholars believed that Marah was meant to connect with their suffering. Why would God guide them this way? Why did God do any of the things He did?

1 Corinthians 10:11-12 (NLT) These things happened to them as examples for us. They were written down to warn us who live at the end of the age. 12 If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall.

This isn’t only a story. YES, it is a TRUE HISTORICAL account of a nation. BUT… it is also instructive to us. It presents us with principles and spiritual realities. We all end up revisiting the pain of our past. Those bitter realities must be dealt with.

Why? Why can’t the Past just be in the Past? When Lazarus came out of the tomb, what was wrong with him? He was wrapped in grave clothes. Grave clothes aren’t made for the LIVING! Grave clothes will trip you up. Not to mention they stink of the old dead life without Jesus. Lazarus had to be set free of those grave clothes, just as you are meant to be free of your past.

Let Jesus Touch Your Past

Exodus 15:25 (NLT) So Moses cried out to the LORD for help, and the LORD showed him a piece of wood. Moses threw it into the water, and this made the water good to drink.

There just “happened” to be a tree. 1.5 million people, and a “pond”, a “pool”, or maybe a bitter oasis. There was a lot of grumbling going on. Everyone thought they were done with the constraint and struggle. Everyone needs water and there were no life straws or water filters to be found. But there was a tree.

Now, no big deal right? Some translations say tree, some say it was a log. Who cares, right? Well, one of two things happened. Either, God planted a tree many years before this day, and likely, that tree had died and had fallen over. Or, God grew a tree somewhere else. That tree either fell or was harvested, and God delivered it by ancient caravan to this very spot. 

God is Waiting in your Worst Moment to Set you Free. We are not waiting for God to show up. God is waiting for us to show up. Why are you afraid of this? Why? Well, God knows why.

1 John 4:18 (NLT) Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.

We are afraid of God. We are afraid of ourselves. We are afraid that we DESERVE whatever happens. But, there is nothing in you that is beyond the reach of the Blood of Jesus. 

When You Choose A New Path

Exodus 15:26 (NLT) He said, “If you will listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his sight, obeying his commands and keeping all His decrees, then I will not make you suffer any of the diseases I sent on the Egyptians; for I am the LORD who heals you.”

The Land of Promise is What is Left. This wasn’t a nation saved from bondage to just wander the wilderness. This nation was chosen for a special place in God’s World. This nation was chosen to overcome giants and establish a legacy. This nation was chosen to bring Jesus into the world!

2 Peter 1:4 (NLT) And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.

God has Promised You Some Stuff. God has a place for you! God has victory for You! God plans for you to bring Jesus into the world. This IS new life in Jesus. This is what’s right. 

1 John 5:3-4 (NLT) Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome. 4 For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith.

God’s Way of Life is a Path to Victory! The Red Sea freed them. The Waters of Marah healed them. They were no longer at the mercy of Egypt. No longer slaves. No longer captive to their own bitter story. It was healed. They were freed from their past.What About Us? What about you? Are you ready for complete freedom? God is waiting for you in your worst moment. He is waiting to heal you and set you free.